ST. LOUIS (KPLR) -Metro Transit officials are inviting the public to sound off on possible fare hikes starting Tuesday.
Multiple options are being considered. But any way you slice it, it appears passengers will soon be paying more. Metro says it is all about the cost of doing business including covering jumps in diesel fuel prices. Officials tell us fare increases every two years, or so, are needed for the long term health of the system.
Three different options are being considered. The base Metrolink cash fare would increase by a quarter in two of the three proposals. The base cash fare for metro buses does not increase in any of the plans. However, the prices of weekly, monthly and semester passes for use of the entire Metro system do take a jump in all three plans.
Transit officials said fare increases are needed to meet Metro’s budgeted goal of a five-percent increase in passenger revenue for 2015. Each option would generate $2.25-million dollars annually. Fares are set to increase this summer.
The first public meeting will be at St. Louis City Hall Tuesday. The second will be in East St. Louis on Wednesday. The third will be in Clayton on Thursday. Formal public hearing will be Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at Metro Headquarters.
You can find more information on the meeting at MetroStLouis.org.